Woman fended off two attackers, landing them in jail

Kelly Soutar’s self-defense training came to her rescue when two men attacked her.

Shehab Smekramuddin and Mohammad Islam were punched, kicked, and headbutted by Soutar, who holds a brown belt in karate.

The 29-year-old was on her way home from a nightclub when the two men allegedly grabbed her. They were accused of planning to rape Soutar.

Shehab Smekramuddin and Mohammad Islam, who claim to be political refugees, were jailed for three years at Dundee Sheriff Court.

A jury found both men guilty of assault after a three-day trial. However, an allegation that they intended to rape was deleted from the charge.

The two men followed Soutar as she began walking home. Realizing that she was being followed, the woman hid until she thought they had given up and disappeared.

However, Islam approached outside a park close to her home, while Smekramuddin jumped over a wall to grab her.

Soutar, who works as a welder, said that she kneed Islam, 28, in the groin and punched him in the face. The other man, who was holding her, pushed her to the ground.

She managed to dislodge the man off her back and ran away when he was off balance. She fled to a friend’s home and called the police.

The trial heard that she has suffered panic attacks and struggles to go out on her own.

Soutar said she was glad everything is over but is also disappointed that the intent to rape allegation was deleted by jurors.

She is happy knowing that they would not be able to do this to anyone else. She hopes can get on with her life now.

Soutar said that many had asked her about karate ground and about the advantages of going to self-defense classes. She says that the classes are definitely worth it and can give a lot of confidence.